Hello again, Burke Station families!

With the summer-like temperatures during the past week, we’ve been itching for the pool to open and for the 2026 summer season to start!

We had promised you previously that we’d follow up when our coaching staff was finalized, so here you go!

As we had mentioned in a prior email, Coach Kelly Hanik will be returning for the 2026 season for her 5th season as our head coach. We’re thrilled to announce that she will once again be joined by Assistant Coaches Charlie St. Louis and Andrew O’Kane! Adrian Curameng is returning as the Lead Assistant Juniors/Middies coach, with Claire Penwell and Thomas O’Kane rounding out the coaching staff as Assistant Juniors/Middies coaches. We have an amazing staff, and we know that the kids will once again love having them lead the team this summer!

Feel free to reach out to the coaches at [email protected].

REGISTRATION

Just another reminder that registration for the summer season is open! Thank you to all of you who have already registered. We’d love to see the ranks swell over the next few weeks, so if you haven’t signed up yet, now’s the time! We’re really looking forward to seeing familiar faces after a long winter and we’re excited to meet all the new faces that will join us this summer!

Register by May 18 to ensure sizing for the FREE BKS t-shirt that all of our swimmers will receive! Swimmers registered after that date will still get a shirt, but we can't guarantee that all sizes will be available.

Registration payment can be made via check at the Parents Meeting on May 16 (more on the meeting below). If you would prefer to pay by credit card, reach out to [email protected] to be sent a Square invoice.

Junior Destroyers can also register now. We can only offer a limited number of spots, so reserve your spot today!

Word of mouth is the best way to grow our team, so spread the word to friends and neighbors who might be interested in joining us this summer. Please have them reach out to [email protected] with any questions - we’re always happy to chat with prospective families! If you know anyone on the fence about joining the team, let them know of our two-week, no obligation trial period at the start of the season. Our website is packed with valuable information as well.

PARENTS MEETING

Our first event of the season is the Parents Meeting on Saturday, May 16 at 6:30 pm in the BSSC Community Room (yes…only four weeks away!). At that meeting, we will introduce the coaches and go over the schedule and other important information for the season. Swimmers are invited to participate in team building activities with the assistant coaches while the parents meet with Coach Kelly and the Team Reps.

TEAM SUITS AND CAPS

Information on team suits is available at https://burkestation.swimtopia.com/team-suit. Erin St. Louis, one of our BKS parents, will be at the Parents Meeting on May 16 to offer Metro Swim suit fittings. You can also drop into Metro Swim Shop at 11213 Lee Highway in Fairfax to make your purchase.

We will be revealing our new team cap design soon. If you want a personalized team cap, you can order them directly from Metro Swim Shop with your suit order. If you’re interested in a team cap (non-personalized), please make your purchase in the team store (https://burkestation.swimtopia.com/shop/200100) by May 18 so we know how many to order.

PRACTICES

Practices start on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 26. Afternoon practices will run through Wednesday, June 17 (last day of FCPS). The schedule for afternoon practices will be:

• 13 & over: 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
• 9-12: 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
• 8 & unders: 6:00 pm - 6:45 pm

VOLUNTEERS / OFFICIALS

Just a friendly reminder that we cannot run swim meets without volunteers! We will be sending out a volunteer specific email next week that will include information on NVSL Officials Clinics in May and June.

BOWLING PEP RALLY

Our annual off-site pep rally will take place at the Bowl America on Guinea Road on Friday, June 19! All swimmers are invited to attend. The cost will be $25, which includes 90 minutes of bowling, pizza, drinks, and an arcade card. Reserve your spot today at https://burkestation.swimtopia.com/shop/200099.

Parents and siblings are welcome to attend and pay their own way for bowling, food, and drinks.

BSSC MEMBERSHIPS

Another reminder that, per NVSL rules, all BKS team members must be members of the Burke Station Swim Club. Click here to join.

If you are a BSCA Resident, make sure to take advantage of the BSCA Member Rate by joining by April 30.

JUNIORS INSTRUCTORS

We are looking for 13 & older swimmers that are interested in being Junior Destroyers instructors this summer. The Juniors program will run Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from June 23 to July 23, with sessions running from 8:45 am to 9:15 am. Instructors are expected to arrive on time and be in the water with their swimmers. Instructors should also expect to take part in the Lollipop Meet on Thursday evening, July 23. If your teenage swimmer is interested, please fill out the form at https://forms.gle/AHp84JBwxrMSxMV59.

It’s wild to think that the Parents Meeting is only four weeks away and that first practices are less than six weeks away! We can’t wait to see you all again and spend lots of time with our “summer” family!

- Deirdre, Mike, and Matt